Jose Mourinho would appear to be the man Liverpool fans would like to see take over from Rafa Benitez, reports bookie Paddy Power.

Whilst Kenny Dalglish, the 11/4 favourite, is also proving popular given the ease in which he could move across from his current role at the club, it is Mourinho that punters and fans appear to want to see taking over from Benitez.

The Inter Milan boss, currently 9/2 second favourite, accounts for 1 in 5 of the bets placed to date in Paddy Power’s next Liverpool manager betting as the rumour mill is yet to kick in for any name being officially lined up. Jurgen Klinsmann, who appears to be openly courting for such a move in recent years, is the third most popular name in the running by bets placed and currently 8/1.

Darren Haines, spokesman for Paddy Power, said: “Rafa clings on but for how long Punters are already looking to life post Rafa at Liverpool and Mourinho seems to be the name they are either expecting or wanting to see take over.”

Meanwhile, following Fernando Torres’ plea for new players to boost Liverpool’s malfunctioning squad Paddy Power are betting on the first likely name to arrive in the transfer market. Bordeaux’s Marouane Chamakh is the 9/2 favourite with the recently linked Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Emile Heskey at 8/1. Other Premier League strikers in the running include Kenwyne Jones at 10/1 with Carlton Cole at 12s – the same price as a return for former red Peter Crouch.

The much missed Xabi Alonso is 25/1 with Wayne Rooney the 100/1 outsider.

First player to sign for Liverpool

9/2 Chamakh

8/1 Van Nistelrooy

8/1 Heskey

8/1 Silva

10/1 K Jones

12/1 C Cole

12/1 Crouch

12/1 Upson

12/1 Rodallega

14/1 Guti

14/1 Bentley

16/1 D Bent

18/1 Villa

20/1 Saha

20/1 Parker

25/1 Dzeko

25/1 Alonso

33/1 Keane

100/1 Rooney

Next Liverpool manager

11/4 Dalglish

7/2 Mourinho

9/2 Hiddink

8/1 O’Neill

8/1 Klinsmann

12/1 Laudrup

16/1 Hodgson

20/1 Rijkaard

25/1 Van Basten

25/1 Schuster

28/1 Lippi

28/1 Nicol

33/1 Eriksson

33/1 Hughes

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